Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Are helmets required for 3W riders in US States?

Hi Gang,

As the new dealer from Charlotte, I should know this, but I get conflicting information. In States where helmets are required for a motorcycle, does a 3W rider or passenger need a helmet? Its registered as a motorcycle, so I thought yes, but then i heard, since it has seat belts and you sit in it, and not on it, it was not needed. Can't seem to get a straight answer out of my DMV.
Thanks, Mark

Here in Michigan they just got rid of the helmet law but you are supposed to inform your insurance provider of your choice (and pay a premium) if you don't wear one. I side with safety and wear one. It is probably a good assumption that if you're in a helmet law state, the state will also side with safety.

In Michigan a motorcycle endorsement is not needed on your drivers license though, because you sit in it instead of straddling it, also because it has a steering wheel instead of handle bars, etc.

hey mark this is fathergoose in tega cay its a grey area i think . its a motorcycle but rides like a car . with seat belts and sitting inside not on. so i think it will be a grey area and up to cops out on patrol if they are in good mood they will leave you alone.

This is a headache the 'authorities' really don't want to have. It hurts more when it has to be thought about...

Don't ask.

You are in a 'car' which has a steel cage around it. You have crash bars for your heads. You have seat belts. I am at a loss as well. but...

I drive without a helmet, seat belts attached, but I wear riding goggles.

My take is: As this is a Motorcycle legally registered in the USA I am totally entitled to road hazards and grief associated with motorcycles.

If anything occurs, badly, then I am totally responsible for my stupidity.

All of the real grief occurs after serious crap happens and by then, it is just too late.

Enjoy the ride.

You have to look to each State for it's traffic laws pertaining to motorcycles. Every state is different, some require a helmet under a certain age.
The M3W is titled as a motorcycle or 'Trike' on the MSO (Manufacturers Statement of Origin), and on the State title as well. Motorcycle plates. It's legally a motorcycle.
No motorcycle (that I know of) has cats or seatbelts. This is all EPA.
I consider mine a fine British sportscar, or 'Cyclecar', no helmet in Illinois or NC. For further:
http://www.iihs.org/laws/mapmotorcyclehelmets.aspx
Or
http://www.iihs.org/laws/HelmetUseCurrent.aspx#NC

It's safe to say that if your state requires helmets for motorcycles, then you need a helmet while driving a M3W.

Texas has not helmet law, so in Texas you don't need a helmet while driving the M3W.

I plan on wearing one for highway driving FWIW, regardless of the law.

It's classified a motorcycle but has all the feature (seatbelts, rollbar) of a convertible. I do plan on wearing one on the highways (I have a helmet for autocrossing) but likely not for going 3 miles to the store.

When Murphy ('28 Aero) arrived at my door, I phoned up the New York DMV to ascertain its status in NY. After being shunted from pillar (sliding?) to post, I was connected to the "guru" of NY DMV regs. He first asked what vehicle I was calling about. After telling him, he evidently had an automotive encyclopaedia and complimented me on the "fine looking motorcycle." In NY any vehicle with less than 4 wheels is a motorcycle. When I then inquired regarding helmet use, he quoted a subsection of the vehicle statutes that if it had a cockpit, no helmet was required. I drove Murphy on a regular basis until I sold the Aero this May. Not once was I questioned regarding helmet use and I often was followed by motor officers. Now that my new M3W is a week or so from delivery, I searched the DMV regs on-line and have been unable to find the "cockpit" section.
As others have stated, no doubt helmet use is safer (But then likely not driving one at all would be safer still!).
Cheers & Happy Morganing!

we were in pidgen forge ten. last weekend for a rod run. driving down the main street,wearing a flight cap and goggles, when a local sheriff's car pulled along side of me , rolled his window down and ask, 'what is that', I said, 'A Morgan',he just said, great looking car, and drove on.

we were in pidgen forge ten. last weekend for a rod run. driving down the main street,wearing a flight cap and goggles, when a local sheriff's car pulled along side of me , rolled his window down and ask, 'what is that', I said, 'A Morgan',he just said, great looking car, and drove on.